Device for curing ingrowing toenails



. June 4, 1940. sc R 2,202,926

DEVICE FOR CURING INGROWING TOENAILS MW W fl 5 Z x Z M Filed Feb. 25, 1938 Patented June 4, 1940 UNlTED STATES ilPATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR CURING INGROWING TOENAILS 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for curing ingrowing toenails, and particularly to a device which may be applied expeditiously.

Devices for curing ingrown toenails, which are known, have proven to be either too uncomfortable to be worn on the toe for the necessary length of time required to effect a cure, or are too bulky and unwieldy to be worn except when the toe is uncovered and the user is resting.

One of the difficulties that has hitherto been encountered is the tendency of the known devices to slip off the digit when the foot is used. While attempts have been made to correct this condition, they have all resulted in the creation of devices which are either painful to the user or which so press the alllicted digit, by reason of being secured by clamping or other means, that no beneficial results are obtained. Furthermore, the known devices do not lend themselves to a comfortable use while wearing a shoe.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a device for curing ingrowing toenails, which may be worn without discomfort or pain.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for curing ingrown toenails which will permit full unrestricted use of the afilicted digit While the device is being used;

It is still another object of the invention to provide a device for curing ingrown toenails which may be secured to the digit, so that the same cannot slip off the digit, to which it is secured, and yet will cause no discomfort or pain to the user.

It is a further object to provide a device which is placed under tension by its securing means, so that a continuous lifting effect is exerted on the nail.

It isstill another object of the invention to provide a device for curing ingrown toenails which will fit snugly around the curvature of the toe without being bulky or unyieldy, and which will cause no pressure upon the toe.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device for curing ingrown toenails which, upon being applied to the afflicted member, will give instant relief, and which may be worn on the toe without removal therefrom until the cure is eifected.

With these and other equally important objects in view, which will appear from a perusal of the invention, the latter comprises the means described in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the claim forming a part thereof, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the device, constructed in accordance with my invention, with the securing means omitted.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device with the securing means attached thereto.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a toe, to which the device has been applied.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, with the parts shown in intermediate position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, with the device in operative position.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a toe with the device secured thereon and Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, with additional securing means for the device.

As shown in the drawing, the device comprises a thin flexible metal strip I0 provided at one end with an inwardly curled hook I l, constituting a clip, which is adapted to engage the edge of a nail l2. A ribbon of adhesive tape, or other pliable material I3 is passed through a transverse slot M in the strip and secured thereto by doubling, as at l5. Longitudinal slots I6 are provided in the metal strip and are adapted to receive a ribbon of adhesive tape ll, which is drawn through the slots and is secured to the nail and digit l8 in longitudinal position.

In the application of the device, the curled hook H is inserted, as shown in Fig. 4, between the edge of the ingrowing nail l2 and the adjacent flesh l9, to engage the edge of the nail, and the. strip of adhesive l3, together with the clip I0, is drawn taut across the surface of the nail I 2 in transverse direction. By securing the strip of tape about the digit, the metal strip is flexed to act as a spring and lifts the nail away from the adjoining flesh, giving instant relief to the user.

Furthermore, the clip Ill will retain the nail in raised position and permits it to grow normally away from the flesh, and at the same time, the adjoining flesh I9 will be relieved of the pressure of the nail and will proceed to assume its natural contour.

To ensure retention of the device in proper position, another strip of tape I1 is threaded through the slots l6 and underneath the portion of the metal strip l0 between the slots I 6.

The ends of the tape I! extend longitudinally and adhere to the top and bottom of the toe, as will be evident by referring to Fig. 8.

Thus, the device will be held in stationary position, and the digit may have unrestricted movement, and be flexed as if the device were not applied.

Furthermore, the device need not be removed until the ingrown nail has been cured, or until growth of the nail requires re-setting of the clip. Where the latter condition arises, it will not be necessary to remove the tape from the clip to renew the adhesive properties. It is only required to cut the old tape so that a fresh piece of adhesive tape may be attached to the remaining piece.

It is noteworthy that the use of the clip, in combination with the tape, provides the user with a device which may be readily adjustable by controlling the pull of the tape and the resulting spring action of the clip on the nail.

Thus, where the nail has commenced its normal growth, and the adjacent flesh resumes its natural contour, the adhesive tape or ribbon may be adjusted from time to time, so that the tension of the clip on the nail will be decreased at intervals until a complete cure is effected.

While the drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous changes, alterations and revisions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I, therefore, do not limit myself to the details of construction, as shown, but wish to include all modifications, revisions and changes, constituting departures within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A device of the character described, comprising a clip provided at one end with a curled hook adapted to engage the edge of a nail, and means for securing said clip to the toe of the user, said means comprising an adhesive strip secured to the opposite end of said clip, and adapted to be wound transversely about the toe, and an adhesive strip secured to said clip and adapted to be secured longitudinally about the toe.

ERNEST SCHMIDTHOFER. 

